Volume 4 Issue 4

Feature

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  Making leprosy elimination meaningful by ending stigma and exclusion
  

  India recently achieved the target of eliminating leprosy. But the challenge of ending the disabling affect of this disease, caused by the deformities that it creates and the stigma associated with it, needs to be taken on strongly, says Parvinder Singh.

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  National Association of the Deaf holds pioneering National Consultation on Deaf Education
  

  The newly established National Association of the Deaf recently held a pioneering National Consultation on Deaf Education to address the pathetic state of participation of deaf people in India’s education system. Here is a report.

Interview

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  Inclusive Education Policy should not be merely restricted to constructing ramps: Dr. Vasishta
  

  Inclusive Education Policy should not be merely restricted to constructing ramps and access to physical infrastructure, but it should include teaching methodologies that address the communication needs of deaf students, says Dr. Madan M. Vasishta, an expert on deaf education, in conversation with Parvinder Singh.

News

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  Prime Minister meets N.F.B. members; Assures looking into amendments to Disability Act
  

  In a major breakthrough for the disability sector, particularly those with vision impairment, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has agreed to demands raised by National Federation of the Blind (N.F.B.).

• Lalu assures D.R.G. that concerns of disability sector will be addressed in Railway Budget
  

  In a major breakthrough for the disability sector, Disabled Rights Group (D.R.G.) has been personally assured by Minister for Railways Lalu Prasad Yadav that issues raised by them concerning non-implementation of The Disability Act in the Indian Railways would be looked into urgently in the next few days, ahead of the Railway Budget 2006 – 2007.

• Implement 3% reservation for disabled people in state-aided NGOs: M.S.J.E.
  

  The Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment (M.S.J.E.) has added them alongside Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Castes for job reservation in non-governmental organisations receiving government aid above Rs 20 lakh.

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  C.B.S.E. exams to be disabled-friendly this year: Chairman
  

  In a slew of announcements for making school exams disabled-friendly, the Central Board of Secondary Education (C.B.S.E.) has announced several new measures including flat one-hour additional time and separate assessment procedures.

• Mumbai H.C. restrains state from filling up post after a blind candidate alleges discrimination
  

  Mumbai High Court has stalled recruitment for the post of clerk-cum-typist, reserved for visually impaired in the Charity Commissioner’s office, after a shocking allegation by a blind candidate that he was humiliated during the selection process when he was asked to read from a newspaper and count raised fingers of a board member.

• IGNOU announces special awareness programme in disability
  

  Rehabilitation Council of India (R.C.I.) and the Indira Gandhi National Open University (I.G.N.O.U.) have joined hands to establish an awareness-cum-training programme for parents and disabled students.

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  N.C.P.E.D.P. - N.D.T.V. audit reveals poor state of services for disabled people by Jet
  

  An undercover audit of services for disabled passengers offered by Jet airways, conducted jointly by National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (N.C.P.E.D.P.) and New Delhi Television (N.D.T.V.), has revealed a glaring lack of awareness among airline staff on the need for access.

• National Seminar on Poverty and Disability
  

  Poor people are more likely to become disabled because of their harsh and vulnerable living conditions and disabled people are more likely to get poorer because of lack of livelihood opportunities, Union Minister of State for Planning M. V. Rajasekharan said at a recent National Seminar on Poverty and Disability.

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  Disabled participants register small but vital presence at Delhi International Marathon
  

  As the National Capital showcased itself as a world-class city all set to host the Commonwealth Games on the day of the Delhi International Marathon, a handful of disabled people rejoiced on just being able to fight their way to the start-up line that was originally not meant for them as they had been conveniently forgotten by the organisers.

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  Beautification takes precedence over access at Delhi University library
  

  In a sheer display of ignorance and adamance, the Delhi University administration continues to ignore the demand to make its educational infrastructure accessible for disabled people.